LAWS & LEGALITIES in the UNITED STATES

Before acquiring a fox, one should always check whether or not a fox is legal in their state. Commonly kept fox species - arctic, red, fennec and gray - are not regulated as pets at the federal level in the United States. Whether or not a fox is legal where you live depends on the state's regulation of the animals.

To check your state's legalities, please visit The Artful Fox's State Laws tag on tumblr, or click the link to be taken directly to the state's listing on the blog. The research and compilation of the state laws was conducted by a environmental science major, with a concentration in environmental sustainability and resources management. They are working to become a wildlife biologist certified by the wildlife society, and has taken specific environmental and natural resource policy courses.

Even if a fox is legal in the state you live in, you should also check your local ordinances.

Many of these ordinances are available on a municipalities and county websites, as well as on Municode. Be sure to not only screen not only the ordinances pertaining to animals, but also nuisance (noise, smell), structure, and zoning codes that may make it difficult to legally have a fox.

Please contact us if you feel there is a discrepancy in the state laws, or need help interpreting your state, city or county's legislation!

STATES LEGALITY MAPS by SPECIES

Fox Fanatic is a resource hub dedicated to compiling, creating and maintaining information about foxes and the care of foxes in captivity as pets.

We maintain an accurate, comprehensive color guide of the red fox, updated, in-depth US state laws, a list of resources and reading, and an active blog - all to cater to the interests of the pet fox community.